“All I thought was 'Oh my God' and ran out. I couldn't really see as there was smoke everywhere. It was confusing I couldn't ring anyone, because my phone was inside.

“I called Sandy out and she was by my side, but the next thing I knew she had gone in to get Tina. She didn't come out again and I was just crying.“

The retired secretary added: “The fireman couldn't believe Sandy went in to the smoke filled house to look for the little one.

“He said when he came in they were both sitting side-by-side in the kitchen and Sandy was looking after her. He was so brave he ran in not knowing if the house was going to go up and didn't think of himself.“

EASTNEWS

Lily Ifield with her brave pets outside her home

“When he came out I was close to crying.“

The dogs and Mrs Ifield's parrot Rio escaped unharmed from the electrical fire which erupted in the cupboard where her meters are kept.

She added: “The dogs are best friends and Sandy is always looking after Tina. But after the fire they are even closer and they just cuddle up to each other.”

In the wake of the fire, which happened earlier this month [Thurs Nov 2] Mrs Ifield has been moved to a hotel in Epping, Essex, whilst her housing association repairs and cleans her home.

It was sparked by an electrical fault in the early hours of the morning.